It wasn’t only the gloomy weather greeting commuters at West Norwood Station Tuesday morning, but also higher fares. Fares on London’s public transport, are rising again, by 5.6% overall, as people head back to work after the New Year break.

Local Labour councillors were at the station this morning handing out fliers as part of the Labour Party’s Fare Deal campaign. 2012 is an election year for the Mayor of London and London Assembly members. The cost of public transport is set to be a key election issue with The Labour Candidate, Ken Livingstone, promising to cut fares if he is elected in May. In contrast, a single bus ticket is up 50% and a weekly zone 1 – 4 travel card is up 21% under the current Conservative Mayor.